The Tema Greenwich Meridian District of The Church of Pentecost has organised a retirement service to honour three distinguished officers who have served the church for many years.
The event took place at the Safo Memorial Temple in Tema on November 26, 2023.
The three retired officers were Elders Richard Oppong, Akwasi Boaten-Sekyerehene, and John Kwame Ansah, who had served for 31, 31, and 26 years, respectively. They all served as district executive committee members and were reviewed this year.
Apostle Emmanuel Offei Ankra-Badu, the Area Head for Tema, presided over the retirement service and delivered a sermon on the theme, “Responding to Divine Call.”
He explained the divine call of a leader, the criteria necessary to align oneself with God’s call, and the five-stage approach to responding to it – having a revelation of God, realising the value of Christ’s holiness, recognition of one’s sinfulness, renewal of one’s mind on Christ’s perspective and the response of their lifestyle.
Apostle Ankrah-Badu commended the retired officers for their sacrifices and prayed to God to grant them a long life.
The District Minister, Pastor Dr Suleman De-Graft Issaka, congratulated Safo Memorial Temple and Community 2 assemblies for organising the retirement service. He also congratulated the retirees and thanked them for their service to God and humanity.
The retired officers expressed their profound appreciation to God, the church leadership, and their families for the privilege of serving in various capacities in the Lord’s vineyard.
The service featured a performance of the district cadet corps and the children’s cultural troupe in action.
Present at the event were Apostle Matthew Larbi Wettey (Rtd) and his wife, Mrs Elizabeth Larbi Wettey; Mrs Esther Issaka (wife of Tema Greenwich Meridian District Minister); Pastor Abraham Bonsu (Oyarifa District) and wife, Mrs Esther Bonsu, and Pastor Samuel Oduro Appiah (Obo-Kwahu District).
Others were Elder Paul Kuwornu (Tema Area Deacon), Elder Dr Henry Hackman (Area Executive Committee Member), and Deaconess Charity Kuwornu (Area Women’s Leader), among others.
Report by Benjamin Quarshie.